Poland‑Ukraine tensions rise over UPA legacy and honors

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the title “Heroes of the UPA” to an elite unit of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces. The move was seen by Poland as a provocation because the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is linked to the World War II massacres of Polish civilians in Volhynia. In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki withdrew the Order of the White Eagle that had been presented to Zelensky and criticised the glorification of the UPA.

Polish officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, have urged a diplomatic de‑escalation, while stressing that Poland’s support for Ukraine against Russia remains unchanged. The dispute highlights enduring historical grievances, ongoing exhumation projects of massacre victims, and Russia’s attempts to exploit the controversy to weaken the Polish‑Ukrainian partnership.